ANDREW Elkins might have failed to make it to the final at the Youth Olympic Games – but the hammer thrower insists his Singapore experience is far from over.

The 17-year-old from Poole only just edged his way on to the plane to the Far East as the final qualifier, having finished ninth at the European trials in Moscow.

And Elkins struggled in the Lion City in the hammer qualification on Thursday morning, with a best throw of 65.86m only good enough for 12th overall – four places shy of booking his final berth.

But with his efforts good enough to secure a place in the ‘B’ final, Elkins has another chance to show his true colours – an opportunity he insists he will grab with both hands.

“I was a bit disappointed with how I threw in qualifying because I was about four metres down on my personal best and I really wanted to go out there and throw a long way,” said Elkins.

“My preparations had been good and I was feeling quite good out there but I just didn’t get the big throw I wanted and so it is disappointing.

“But I have got another chance to go out on Monday and put in a really big performance.

“And I want to go to the ‘B’ final and throw well to show people that I was capable of being in the final.

“I am disappointed now but it has made me even more determined to produce a really good performance in the ‘B’ final and end the competition well.”

Elkins – who has a personal best of 68.36m – will now regroup before he gets back to the Bishan Stadium for the ‘B’ final on Monday morning.

• Lloyds TSB, proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Visit LloydsTSB.com/London2012